Disabilities Network Welcomes
Governor Paterson
History Shows Strong Commitment to Justice, Diversity & Disability
On March 17, David A. Paterson was sworn in as New York State Governor and will serve out the remainder of the current gubernatorial term.
Governor Paterson's history shows his long commitment to social justice, diversity and disability. Paterson, who is legally blind, represented his Senate District in Harlem from 1986-2006 and served as State Senate Minority Leader from 2002-2006 prior to becoming Lieutenant Governor in January 2007.
Paterson and Assemblyman Keith Wright were largely responsible for the Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) opening in 1991. The HILC's Executive Director, Christina Curry, serves on the Disabilities Network Board of Directors.
While State Senator, Paterson was a strong advocate of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). He worked with the Disabilities Network and other advocacy groups in the adoption of statewide standards on voting technology and is a vocal supporter of stem cell research.
Paterson is a board member of Network Member Achilles Track Club, which strives for better access for people with disabilities in mainstream athletics. Paterson also serves on the President's Council of the American Foundation for the Blind.
A supporter of the Disabilities Network of NYC from the beginning, Paterson addressed the need for greater inclusion of people with disabilities when he last spoke at a Disabilities Network forum in July 2006, while running for Lt. Governor. "The Americans with Disabilities Act is an unfinished agenda," said Paterson before an enthusiastic audience of 120 people with 13 satellite phone locations reaching hundreds more throughout the state. "You can have an act on paper, but it isn't trickling down to the streets."
Unlike some, Paterson's support has gone beyond political rhetoric. His office supported the Disabilities Network of NYC with discretionary funds to assist network development from 2006-2007.
At his March 13th press conference, Paterson again voiced his commitment to tackling issues of importance to people with disabilities. “Seventy-one percent of the blind are unemployed, 90 percent of deaf people in this country are unemployed,” said Paterson. “Maybe one of them could figure out a cure for cancer, but we can’t get them into the workplace."
"The educational proficiency of the disabled surpasses the national education average, and yet we have these horrible unemployment rates in those communities.”
"The Disabilities Network has every confidence in Governor Paterson's vision for New York built on his years of outstanding service to all our citizens," said Alberta L. Orr, Disabilities Network Executive Director. "Governor Paterson embodies what can be accomplished if citizens with disabilities are afforded necessary support and accommodations."
"This begs the larger question: How many more people with disabilities could accomplish at Paterson's level if people with disabilities were afforded the same opportunities as our non-disabled peers?"
We look forward to creating greater opportunities for all New Yorkers -- including the one in five who is disabled -- with Governor Paterson and his staff in the weeks, months and years ahead.
